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Specht reflects on ’07 Bombers

We are coming up on the eighth anniversary of St. Xavier winning its second Division I state title in three years. The 2007 Bombers have quickly solidified their status when it comes to being considered one of the greatest teams in the history of Cincinnati and perhaps the best of all-time.

The team was loaded with talent in every class. Two members of that championship squad have made it to the NFL and a clan of others went on to play at top notch universities.

Steve-Specht-StXavier

The ’07 Bombers finished 15-0 they won all but two of those games by 14 points or more. The offense did not have a weakness at any position and averaged 30.1 points per contest. The defense made it hard on the opposition allowing just 9.1 points per game against arguably the toughest schedule in America. They only gave up 21 points in GCL South play going 3-0 tow win the league.

St. Xavier only had two close games that season. A Week 9, 17-14, overtime victory in a brawl at St. Ignatius and in the state semi-final the Bombers built a 10-0 lead over Dublin Coffman early the fourth quarter only to stave off of a Shamrocks comeback attempt, 10-7.

The mental makeup and selflessness of the ’07 Bombers is what set them apart from everyone else who could be considered the best the Gem City has ever seen. What St. Xavier did and against whom they did it to for 15 weeks is truly one of the greatest team feats that has ever been accomplished in this town.

I caught up with St. Xavier head coach Steve Specht and got his memories of that team and season. Specht was in his third season as the Bombers leader in ’07. Winning that second state crown elevated him as one of the rising high school coaching stars in the country.

TSF Shoe: What was it about that squad that made them so special?

Specht: Great group of kids. I can remember when we won the title in 2005, we started five sophomores, Darius Ashley, Fred Craig, Danny Milligan, Nick Schneider and Max Bauman. Darius, Fred and Max were all captains on the ’07 team. We knew then that we had a very special class; a group of players who cared deeply about one another and more about winning than they cared about personal achievements. For as talented as that class was, the sacrifices they made for one another stand out in my mind. Max Bauman had ACL reconstruction and shoulder surgery the year before and came back to start all 15 games. Still one of the most amazing feats I’ve seen from a young man I have coached. Darius sprains his ankle Week 1 and Week 2 he is on National TV (ESPN game against Dematha) shown getting water for his teammates and serving as a manager. Little things that help to win games. They were all like that. The talent was unquestionable but the care for one another and desire to achieve was second to none.

TSF Shoe: When (or what was) was the moment you knew that they had an opportunity to win it all?

Specht: We knew we had a tremendous amount of talent in 2005. The summer of 2007 we saw what Greg Scruggs could do for the first time and watch a young, gangly junior by the name of Luke Kuechly start to develop. We thought we were one piece defensively away from being really special and Luke was that piece. I think every starter on that defense, with the exception of Billy Rumpke (who played baseball I believe at Columbia) was an Ivy League or better football player. We also had a really good core group of juniors and sophomores that contributed that year.

TSF Shoe: How did winning that title change the program?

Specht: I don’t know that it changed the program all that much. I’ve always said that the 2005 and 2007 state championships simply validated what we have always preached. Whether it was Coach Tom Ballaban, Steve Rasso or myself, the message has always been the same, “do your best because your best is always enough.” It just happens that in those two years they gave their best and it was better than everyone else’s.

TSF Shoe: Looking back at ’07 and being a young head coach, how much more appreciative are you of that title now?

Specht: I don’t know that I personally appreciate the title as much as I appreciate that team and how much they cared about one another. When you have that much talent willing to sacrifice their own personal achievement for the team’s achievement you have something special. I appreciate that more than anything. One of my favorite stories that sums it up was when we took the huddle before the first offensive play in the title game. A baby-faced sophomore quarterback by the name of Luke Massa, before calling the play, simply looked at everyone in the huddle and said, “I love you guys.” What more can you ask for as a coach?

Who were the 2007 St. Xavier Bombers:

SENIORS
Fred Craig, S – The Ohio Division I defensive player of the year and GCL South athlete of the year. Craig went on to play at Stanford then Penn.

Danny Milligan, WR/K – The Ohio Division I offensive player of the year at kicker Milligan was a scoring machine with 135 points (10 touchdowns, 10 field goals and 45 extra points). He set a state record with 37 career field goals. Milligan garnered his only scholarship to Cincinnati where he would letter as a punt returner and a slot receiver.

Darius Ashley, RB – Injuries couldn’t slow down Ashley as he ran for 1,584 yards and 17 touchdowns in 12 games (all but nine of those yards came in the team’s last 11 tilts). He was named First Team All-Ohio. He was one of three Bombers to go on and play at Louisville where he saw time at running back and defensive back for a brief stint. Ashley ran will go down as one of the best running backs in school history with more than 4,600 yards rushing and 64 total touchdowns (60 rushing) while starting for two state championship teams.

Max Baumann, OL – A gratifying comeback for Baumann saw him earn First Team All-Ohio honors.

Greg Scruggs, DE – Had 5.5 sacks and three fumble recoveries. Scruggs parlayed his only season of football at St. X into a scholarship to Louisville where he became a stud. He is now in the NFL playing for the Seattle Seahawks

Andrew Carpenter, OL – A First Team All-GCL South Carpenter went on to have a really good college career at Division II Ohio Dominican.

Evan Miller, LB – A First Team All-Southwest District selection Miller led the team with 10.5 sacks. Would go on to play at Columbia.

Ross Morand, DB – Had six takeaways (three interceptions, three fumble recoveries) and a pick six on his way to First Team All-GCL South honors. Would go on to play at Columbia.

Tim Perica, P – A First Team All-GCL South pick Perica averaged more than 39 yards on 42 punts.

Gerry Reilly, DB – Had five interceptions including a pick six versus Moeller. First Team All-GCL South Reilly would go on to excel in lacrosse for Georgetown University. Was drafted 63rd overall in the Major League Lacrosse in 2012 by the Hamilton Nationals and now plays for the Chesapeake Bayhawks.

Joe Richter, DL – Had three sacks and was named First Team All-GCL South. Would go on to play at Ohio Dominican.

Nick Schneider, LB – First Team All-GCL South. Would go on to play for Yale

Tim Bayer, DB – Recorded six interceptions on his way to Second Team All-GCL South acclaim. Would go on to play at Georgetown University.

John Hurley, QB – Fell to injury in Week 8 and missed the playoff run. His 1,126 yards and 12 passing touchdowns still earned him Second Team All-GCL South accolades. Continued his career at Penn.

Luca Romeo, RB – An unsung hero as a blocker and a runner Romeo ran for 619 yards, had 12 receptions for 215 yards and scored eight touchdowns. He was a Second Team All-GCL South selection.

Jon Scheidler, WR – Had 40 receptions for 551 yards and four touchdowns on way to Second Team All-GCL South honors. Scheidler would go on to play at Cornell.

Kyle Wenker, OL – A Second Team All-GCL South selection.

Stephon Ball, WR – Had 19 receptions for 319 yards and a touchdown. Earned scholarship to Louisville.

Patrick Berning, RB – Ran for 508 yards and three touchdowns.

Patrick Kelly, TE – The best blocking tight end in the league Kelly finished 22 catches for 180 yards and four scores.

Billy Rumpke, DB – Came up with eight takeaways (five interceptions, three fumble recoveries) as the team’s top ballhawk.

JUNIORS
Luke Kuechley, LB – Kuechley is one of the NFL’s top defensive players with the Carolina Panthers and is on well on his way to a Hall of Fame career. He was a Second Team All-GCL South performer on the ’07 title team.

Pat Muldoon, DL – A Second Team All-Ohio selection after recording 6.5 sacks with a fumble recovery and an interception. Muldoon would go on to letter for four years on some very good Wisconsin teams in the Big 10.

SOPHOMORES
Luke Massa, QB – Forced into action after Hurley’s injury Massa went 7-0 as a started finishing with 922 yards, nine touchdowns and just two interceptions down the stretch. He would go on to play at Notre Dame moving to receiver but lettering as a holder for the place kicker.

Matt James, OL – Committed to Notre Dame to play with friend and teammate Massa, James died tragically in a spring break accident during his senior season. He was one of the top high school lineman in the country in the Class of 2010 and ended his career as one of the greatest players to ever lace ‘em up at St. Xavier.

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